Over the past 10 winters since 2011 proceeds from the School Pirate Loppet have been presented to sixteen School District #83 Elementary Schools: Armstrong, Bastion, Carlin, Grindrod, Highland Park, Hillcrest, M.V. Beattie, North Canoe, Parkview, Ranchero, Salmon Arm West, Silver Creek, Sorrento, South Broadview and South Canoe. Each School has purchased X-C Ski equipment. In 2020 M.V. Beattie Elementary will receive $2000 and Hillcrest Elementary will receive $1500.
A total of $38,900 has been distributed to local schools by the Pirate Loppet host committee based on the $5 per student registration fee and generous donations from:
- Askew’s Foods
- CSRD – Shuswap Tourism
- Hub International Insurance Brokers
- Hudson Dental Clinic
- Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union
- School District #83
- Shuswap Community Foundation
Some School PAC Groups that have matched “Skis for Schools” grants
The Larch Hills Nordics School Pirate Loppet Host Committee plans to continue with this “Skis for Schools†initiative since local X-C ski rental equipment is limited. Purchase by SD #83 Schools of approximately 230 pairs of X-C skis, ski boots and poles have been enabled through the Skis for Schools Program since 2011. Add to that the financial support to purchase ski equipment by Schools’ Parent Advisory Committees.